Bond reduced for man charged in stabbing

The 41-year-old Shell man pleaded not guilty on Thursday in Fifth District Court to three felony charges in connection with a January stabbing incident at Shell’s Antler Inn. A five-day jury trial will be set.

Raymond Tatom is charged with attempted second-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault and battery. The charges stem from a bar fight in which Tim Mills, also of Shell, received stab wounds, the most serious of which was to his abdominal area.

Mills has since been released from the hospital and is continuing to recuperate from his home.

In court last week, Tatom formally entered not guilty pleas to all three charges. After that, Tatom and his attorney, Dion Custis, argued for a reduction in bond. Since his arrest, it had been set at $1 million.

Big Horn County Attorney Michelle Burns said the state argued strongly against any reduction in bond, but Judge Robert Skar ultimately sided with the defense. Tatom’s bond was reduced to $200,000, cash or surety.

Several additional requirements, however, were added to the conditions for bond previously ordered by Circuit Court Judge Tom Harrington. Skar ruled that Tatom must wear a GPS monitor at all times, and that he must bear the expense of that monitor. Tatom was also required to surrender his passport to the sheriff’s office, sign a waiver of extradition and receive written permission from the court before leaving the state for any reason, including but not limited to medical appointments in Billings.

According to the county attorney’s office, Tatom posted bond on Saturday and was released.